Hades 2 is getting ready to leave early access. At the same time a new game called Shape of Dreams is becoming popular. It mixes ideas from League of Legends and Path of Exile.
Shape of Dreams is published by Neowiz. This company has already surprised players before. It gave us Lies of P which turned out to be one of the best soulslike games. Many people did not expect it to be that good but it impressed both players and critics. Now Neowiz has turned its attention to the roguelike genre. Shape of Dreams is their new big project and it has started with a lot of attention on Steam. In fact it is already climbing the list of most played games on the platform.
One reason people are so curious about Shape of Dreams is that it offers a free demo. That means players can try it without paying. This is always a good way to attract interest because people can test the game before deciding if they want to buy it. On top of that the game also launched with a discount. Instead of paying the full price players can grab it at a cheaper cost during launch week. That makes it even more tempting for curious players to give it a chance.
The gameplay of Shape of Dreams is very fast. It is designed as an action roguelike where you fight through different stages and worlds. Many people compare it to Hades because of the style and pace. But the game is not simply a copy. It adds its own unique features. One of the biggest draws is the fact that it has eight different characters to play. Each character has their own combat system and upgrade path. That means players can try out different styles and builds. If you get bored with one character you can switch to another and get a completely fresh experience.
The build system of Shape of Dreams is another big strength. It feels similar to Path of Exile 2 in some ways. You can collect more than 150 different memories and essences. These can be slotted into your character to create custom loadouts. Because there are so many options the number of combinations is massive. Each run can feel different depending on what upgrades you choose. For players who love experimenting with builds and strategies this is very exciting.
Another important part of the game is skill shots. This is when you aim carefully and land precise attacks. It is similar to mechanics found in multiplayer online battle arena games. For example hitting an Ashe arrow in League of Legends or landing a Pudge hook in Dota 2. These kinds of moments feel amazing because they reward precision and timing. Shape of Dreams takes that same satisfaction and builds it into its roguelike action.
Shape of Dreams is not only about solo play. It also allows you to team up with friends. Up to three other players can join you in co op. This opens up a whole new way to experience the game. Playing with friends makes the battles more chaotic but also more fun. Teamwork becomes important and each player can bring a different character to the group. That adds variety and replayability.
The world design is also worth mentioning. There are eight different worlds in the game. Each one has handcrafted bosses monsters and secrets. That means you can expect unique challenges in each world rather than copy pasted content. The bosses especially are designed to stand out. Beating them feels rewarding and requires learning their attack patterns. For players who love exploration there are hidden areas and secrets waiting to be discovered.
It is true that Shape of Dreams does not completely reinvent the roguelike genre. But sometimes a game does not need to be completely new. Instead it can build upon what came before and polish it further. Other games like Sworn have done this successfully. Shape of Dreams follows a similar path. It respects the core of the genre but adds enough twists to make it fresh. The reaction so far shows that this approach is working.
Looking at player numbers tells the story. At one point Shape of Dreams had a peak of more than forty thousand players online at the same time within a single day. That is impressive for a new entry in the genre. Of course Hades 2 had an even bigger number. It hit more than one hundred thousand concurrent players. Once Hades 2 leaves early access it will likely go even higher. Still the success of Shape of Dreams shows that there is room for more than one popular roguelike in 2025.
The year is already shaping up to be great for fans of this style of game. Alongside Hades 2 and Shape of Dreams there are also other titles to enjoy. Games like Lost in Random The Eternal Die and Ravenswatch are also giving players fresh roguelike experiences. Each game has its own twist and flavor. This variety means players do not have to choose only one. They can enjoy multiple games across the year.
Reviews from early players of Shape of Dreams are strong. Around seventy eight percent of all reviews are positive. Among English speaking players the rating is even higher at ninety two percent. This suggests that most players are enjoying their time with the game. Some people even compare its build system to Path of Exile but in shorter more digestible runs. Others say the game may not completely change the roguelike formula but it makes up for it by throwing in so many abilities and synergies that every run feels exciting.
There are some complaints too. A few players feel that the progression system is a little grindy. That means you need to play a lot before unlocking everything. For some players this feels rewarding because it keeps them busy. For others it might feel like too much work. Ultimately this depends on personal taste. Some players enjoy a long grind while others prefer faster progression.
Right now Shape of Dreams is available to buy on Steam. The regular price is nineteen dollars and ninety nine cents or sixteen pounds and seventy nine pence in the United Kingdom. But during the launch week it is discounted by twenty percent. That means if you buy it before Wednesday September twenty fourth you can save some money. On top of that the free demo is always there if you want to try before buying.
For anyone interested in roguelike games Shape of Dreams is worth checking out. It combines fast action exciting characters a deep build system and cooperative play. It may not replace Hades 2 as the most talked about game of the year but it does not need to. Instead it adds more choice for players who love the genre. With strong reviews and growing player numbers it has already proven that it deserves attention.
When you look at the bigger picture the roguelike genre has grown a lot in the past few years. Games like Dead Cells Slay the Spire Hades and now Shape of Dreams have shown that players want games that mix challenge with replayability. Each run feels fresh because no two playthroughs are the same. This is what keeps players coming back. Shape of Dreams is adding itself to that list of modern roguelike hits.
The fact that Neowiz is behind this game also matters. They have shown with Lies of P that they can deliver quality. They know how to surprise the audience and give them something polished and fun. That track record builds trust. Players are more willing to try Shape of Dreams because of the publisher name.
Looking forward it will be interesting to see how Shape of Dreams develops. Most modern roguelikes continue to grow after launch with updates new content and balance patches. If the developers keep supporting it then the community could keep expanding. That would give the game a long life and ensure it stays relevant even with strong competition from Hades 2 and others.
For now though the best thing players can do is try it themselves. Whether through the demo or the discounted launch version the entry cost is low. Once you dive in you might find yourself hooked by the fast combat the satisfying builds and the thrill of cooperative play. Shape of Dreams has already proven it can stand out. Now it has the chance to grow even more in the months ahead.
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